OCAA WOMEN'S RUGBY CROSSOVERS PREVIEW

TORONTO - The post-season has arrived in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) as six women's rugby teams remain in the hunt for this year's provincial championship.

Both the Humber Hawks (5-1-0) and Fleming Knights (6-0-0) earned a bye into the semi-finals after winning their respective regional championships. It is the second straight season both teams have finished in first place during the regular season.

A crossover format is used in the post-season, beginning with the second-place team hosting the third-place team from the opposite division. There is no interdivisional play during the regular season, as opponents face each other for the first time in 2015.

Winners of the crossovers will get two chances to earn an OCAA medal. Humber and Fleming will host semi-final matches against crossover winners on Nov. 7.

The OCAA gold and bronze medal matches will take place at the home of the higher seed Nov. 14-15.

Loyalist (1-4-1, 3rd East) at Conestoga (5-1-0, 2nd West)
Saturday, Oct. 31 - 12 p.m.

Loyalist has already played a sudden death match, needing a win in its regular season finale over Algonquin to earn a post-season berth.

The Lancers won 32-7 on the strength of five tries from five different players. Second-year player Christine Vandertoorn (Quinte West) scored seven points on the strength of her foot with two converts and a penalty kick.

Loyalist will be making just its second appearance in five official OCAA post-seasons. Second-year player Brittney Whiting (Trenton) led all Lancers with seven tries during the regular season.

Conestoga improved on its third-place finish last season. The Condors advanced to the semi-finals in 2014, ultimately losing their final two playoff matches. Conestoga only OCAA medal came in the form of silver in 2011.

First-year forward Natalie Kwiecien (Waterloo) led the Condors with five tries in five regular season matches.

The winner of the Conestoga-Loyalist match takes on Fleming in the semi-finals.

Sheridan (3-3-0, 3rd West) at St. Lawrence-Kingston (4-2-0, 2nd East)
Saturday, Oct. 31 - 12 p.m.

For the first time in the four-year history of its women's rugby program, Sheridan has advanced to the post-season with its best regular season record to date.

The Bruins were led by fourth-year player Khadeshia Thompson (Brampton) and her six tries in four matches. Sheridan began the season 3-1 but have lost two straight, a trend it will be aiming to reverse.

St. Lawrence-Kingston is looking to return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2013, falling in the crossovers last season. The Vikings went to three straight OCAA bronze medal matches between 2011 and 2013, losing all three times.

In six regular season matches, second-year wing Michelle Harper (Cobourg) scored six tries while adding four converts for 38 points.

The St. Lawrence-Sheridan winner takes on defending OCAA champion Humber in the semi-finals.

- OCAA -

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The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 11 sports.

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E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com